Transport planning in Scotland: NPF4 and Designing Streets.
Transport evidence for Scottish schemes, working to NPF4 Policy 13, Designing Streets and Transport Scotland’s guidance.
Also known as: NPF4 Policy 13, Designing Streets, Transport Scotland Transport Assessment guidance, Road Construction Consent, Scottish planning transport
What’s included.
Scotland has its own planning and roads system. National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) Policy 13 sets the approach to sustainable transport, including the sustainable travel hierarchy. Designing Streets is the national street design policy. New roads are approved through Road Construction Consent rather than a Section 38 agreement, and trunk roads are run by Transport Scotland.
- Transport Assessments to Transport Scotland guidance
- NPF4 Policy 13 compliance
- Designing Streets layouts
- Road Construction Consent support
- Trunk road input with Transport Scotland
- Travel Plans and active travel
Straightforward, proportionate, agreed early.
Scottish policy
Evidence written to NPF4 and Scottish guidance, not English policy relabelled.
Designing Streets
Layouts designed as places, in line with Scotland’s street design policy.
The right consents
Road Construction Consent and roads permissions rather than English agreements.
Questions we get asked
Does the NPPF apply in Scotland?
No. Scotland has its own National Planning Framework (NPF4) and planning legislation.
What is Road Construction Consent?
The Scottish consent needed to build a new road intended for adoption, broadly equivalent to the English Section 38 process.
Who runs trunk roads in Scotland?
Transport Scotland, through its operating companies.
Often needed alongside.
Last reviewed October 2026 by Ripple Development Planning. Policy and guidance change; for advice on a specific site, send us the details.
From our insights.
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